title: A mathematical model for the progression of dental caries.
abstract: A model for the progression of dental caries is derived. The analysis starts at the microscopic reaction and diffusion process. The local equations are averaged to derive a set of macroscopic equations. The global system includes features such as anisotropic diffusion and local changes in the geometry due to the melting of the enamel. The equations are then solved numerically. The simulations highlight the effect of anisotropy. In addition, we draw conclusions on the progression rate of caries, and discuss them in light of a number of experiments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Amado Building, Haifa 32000, Israel and Department of Applied Mathematics, Complutense University, Séneca 2 Street, Madrid 28040, Spain.
authors.forename: L Rene I
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Fabregas
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Amado Building, Haifa 32000, Israel koby@tx.technion.ac.il.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rubinstein
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D055641:Mathematical Concepts; D003765:Models, Dental; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
keywords: caries; dentistry; mathematical model